steelwoolghandi Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 (edited) Builders Foam "Stone" or "Brick" Tutorial Here I will explain how to take Owens Corning Insulating Sheathing or "Builders Foam" and make it into a nice looking Stone or Brick wall. We will be making a Stone wall (sandstone) out of the material today. The Foam comes in pink or blue material and can be purchased at most Building Supply Stores and is usually found in the wood or paneling section. Note most foams, such as packing foam or Styrofoam will not work because its put together as little beads of foam and it falls apart an those beads go everywhere! The beads also show up on the face when painted and it just looks like painted foam. The builder's foam is tight and no beads so will look more realistic when painted. ALWAYS use water-based paint when painting your foam (other types will melt the foam). 1. Pick your foam, I am using the pink here and using the side that has no writing on it. (It does not mater because you will not see the writing when you paint over it but it's easier for me to see the lines I wish to highlight. 2. I take the foam and I remove the layer of plastic film that is on it so I can get to the foam easy and when painting you don't want the film coming off and running your paint job. 3. Take your pencil and randomly make your marks on the foam to look like rocks, just be free with the lines, small ones, and big ones and in between. Don't worry if you break the corners a bit on your rocks you will see it adds to the realism when you paint it. 4. I use some tools to make some indentions and form the rocks a little more to add to the Realism. These tools came with my Exacto-Knife and so you should be able to get them at a hobby shop or use something in the house like the back of a spoon or even a nail file. 5.Take and smooth the sides down all around the stones letting some stay up and make sure you add some texture to the face of the stone. Once you have enough texture and are happy with the way the stones look your ready for paint. 6. Put your darkest coat on and paint the whole stone wall make sure you get it deep into the lines. Since this material is pink make sure you none of its showing after the paint. I chose to use Burnt umber as the base; it will show up as the grout in the wall and also as the darker color in the stone. Now the wait as it dries……… 7. I now added Golden brown, its not looking like sandstone yet but it will trust me, once you have the base coats on and the highlights the rest is just getting the light colored paint the way you want it. You can use any type of colors including grays or even reds to make brick. To make Brick just draw the bricks in straighter lines and use lighter colors for the grout and the reds and browns for the bricks. 8. Once the base colors are dry you add the lighter coats with dry brushing I used Country Tan for the lighter coat, Dry Brushing: this is where you take the brush get paint on it and wipe off as much as you can until the brush is almost dry, then use stroking motions to wipe across the stone to highlight the edges. 9. Now the last coat is the Dry Brushing of white vary dry and just edges and such to highlight the stone and make it really stand out! 10. you can now use this for fireplaces, stone wall or underpinning for your house, The foam is easy to use and lightweight. I rushed a bit thru this tutorial but you can get even better results if you take your time and let the paint dry a little longer. If the material is to thick you can always trim the back of it off to make it fit.The paints I use are just cheap $89 cent paints you can get at your local store. So you don't have to spend much money to get a nice wall built. Edited January 9, 2009 by steelwoolghandi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minis On The Edge Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Thank You So Much Aaron!! I added the link to this in our tutorial link area on the forum: http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/i...st=0#entry13229 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_in_PA Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 GREAT !!!! Thanks Aaron. Steve in PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPCullen Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Fantastic tutorial! You make it look so easy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badlilkit10 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 very neat how can i print this out so it doesnt print the backround too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intrinsicat Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 GREAT tutorial! When do we get the brick tutorial? Actually, I'm really curious because I want a brick wall in my cellar.. this tutorial takes care of the stone floor I wanted! And it sounds easier than the paperclay I was going to do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wenlaine Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Aaron, where were you when I was building the chimney in my Brookwood. It's definitely on the list for my next build. Thanks so much for doing this tutorial for us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwoolghandi Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 When I can grab more time I will try and put together something for the brick, its real easy just do it like the stone but in brick form. I hope this will be helpful and if anyone needs any extra help just ask away! Can't wait to see what everyone does with this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_in_PA Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Hey Aaron....Don't go anywhere !! We need to pick your brain some more ! I'm going to give the bricks a try tomorrow. Great work, guy. Steve in PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwoolghandi Posted January 10, 2009 Author Share Posted January 10, 2009 Hey Aaron....Don't go anywhere !! We need to pick your brain some more ! I'm going to give the bricks a try tomorrow. Great work, guy. Steve in PA Don't pick to hard there is not much left! Can't wait to see your brick!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItzKathyP Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 All Right!! Maybe even I could do this!!! Thanks, Aaron! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chattycathy66 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Wonderful! You make it look sooo easy! I will definately have to give that one a try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corwin Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 I have used this method for a outside room box, the brick version, but i never thought of cutting it down! thanks!! I also Use builders foam for bashing, platforms, thicker walls window seats etc, I pay 5 dollars for a BIG sheet of half inch stuff at home depot it is in with the insulation. (at least there) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christinee Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Great tutorial Aaron, thanks for sharing! I can't wait to try it out. Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
what2craftnow Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 AWESOME!!! Thanks so much Aaron..definitely on my "to try" list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherry Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 That is something I could probably do! Isn't it interesting how many solutions people come up with the achieve a certain look-think how many ways we know of to make stone! People are such creative problem solvers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellee Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Thank You so much, This looks so easy and something I can do. and not too messy or time consuming.!!! I do have a question.: What is the thickness of the foam? I or should I say the Franklin wants brick on its exterior... and I dont want it to be too thick. Would the foam be too thick on the dollhouse itself? Otherwise I have a wonderful Idea for this.... I cannot wait to get some of this.. But I MUST get the work area cleaned up.!! kellee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinyJudi Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 What a cool idea! I have got to give this a try. Thanks Aaron! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwoolghandi Posted January 10, 2009 Author Share Posted January 10, 2009 I do have a question.: What is the thickness of the foam? I or should I say the Franklin wants brick on its exterior... and I dont want it to be too thick. Would the foam be too thick on the dollhouse itself? kellee The thickness is 1/2" (they do have thicker up to 2") but the nice thing about this foam is you can cut it down if its to thick, just shave off the back of the foam and then apply it to the area with the same type of glue you use (as long as its a water based glue). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 How destructive to the bufoam is removing that cover layer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Holly, the cover plastic peels off quite easily. I use this foam for bases. It's easy to carve, paint, and glue in flowers, trees, etc. I am planning to use it to make the fireplace/stairway in the White Orchid. Now I'm looking forward to using it for stonework, too. The fireplace may not be as starkly white as I first envisioned it. Thanks for the inspiration, Aaron! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 I'm thinking this is probably what I want to make the fireplaces & chimney for the Frosts' house, AKA the White Orchid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miniwendy Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Thanks! Nice tutorial! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwoolghandi Posted January 10, 2009 Author Share Posted January 10, 2009 How destructive to the bufoam is removing that cover layer? As Kathie said its real easy peals easier then an orange and not destructive at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minis Over The Hill Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Thanks for taking the time Aaron. The tutorial is very clear. How would builders foam stand up on the outside of a house instead of paperclay, is it as durable, do you know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.